Volume 323 JULY 5, 1990 Number 1

EFFECTS OF HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE IN MEN OVER 60 YEARS OLD

By DANIEL RUDMAN, M.D., et al.

Abstract Background. The declining activity of the
growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor One (IGF-I) axis
with advancing age may contribute to the decrease in lean
body mass and the increase in mass of adipose tissue that
occur with aging.

Methods. To test this hypothesis, we studied 21
healthy men from 61 to 81 years old who had plasma
IGF-I concentrations of less than 350 U per liter during
a six-month base-line period and a six-month treatment
period that followed. During the treatment period, 12 men
(group 1) received approximately 0.03 mg of biosynthetic
human growth hormone per kilogram of body weight
subcutaneously three times a week, and 9 men (group 2)
received no treatment. Plasma IGF-I levels were measured
monthly. At the end of each period we measured lean
body mass, the mass of adipose tissue, skin thickness
(epidermis plus dermis), and bone density at nine skeletal
sites.

Results. In group 1, the mean plasma IGF-I level rose
into the youthful range of 500 to 1500 U per liter during
treatment, whereas in group 2 it remained below 350 U per
liter. The administration of human growth hormone for six
months in group 1 was accompanied by an 8.8 percent
increase in lean body mass, a 14.4 percent decrease in
adipose-tissue mass, and a 1.6 percent increase in average
lumbar vertebral bone density (P<0.05 in each instance).
Skin thickness increased 7.1 percent (P = 0.07).

There was no significant change in the bone density of the
radius or proximal femur. In group 2 there was no significant
change in lean body mass, the mass of adipose tissue,
skin thickness, or bone density during treatment.

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